MTD Series 550 Operator's Manual page 4

13. Ifyour m achine isequipped withaninternal combustion
engine and isintended foruse near a ny unimproved forest,
brush, orgrass covered land, theengine exhaust should b e
equipped withaspark arrester. Make s ure y oucomply with
applicable local, state, and federal codes. Take a ppropriate
firefighting equipment withyou.
14. This m achine should b eused f orsplitting w ood only, do
notuse itforany other purpose.
15. Follow t heinstructions inthemanual(s) provided withany
attachment(s) forthis machine.
Preparation
1. Always wear safety shoes or heavy boots.
2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles when
operating this machine.
3. Never wear jewelry or loose clothing that might become
entangled in moving or rotating parts of the machine.
4. Make sure machine is on a flat, dry, solid ground before
operating.
5. Always block wheels to prevent unintended movement,
and lock beam in either the horizontal or vertical position.
6. Always operate this machine from the operator zone(s)
specified in the manual. See Fig. 2-1.
Figure 2-1
7. Logs should be cut with square ends prior to splitting.
8. Use log splitter in daylight or under good artificial light.
SafeHandlingof 6as01ine
To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care
in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when
gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other
sources of ignition.
C.
d.
Never fuel machine indoors.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is
hot or running.
e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before
refueling.
fl Never overfill the fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than
1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space
for fuel expansion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment and move machine to another area. Wait
five (5) minutes before starting the engine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light
as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appliances.
j. Allow machine to cool at least five (5) minutes
before storing.
Operation
1. Before starting this machine, review the "Safe Operation
Practices". Failure to follow these rules may result in serious
injury to the operator or bystanders.
2. Never leave this machine unattended with the engine
running.
3. Do not operate machine while under the influence of
alcohol, drugs, or medication.
4. Never allow anyone to operate this machine without
proper instruction.
5. Always operate this machine with all safety equipment in
place and working. Make sure all controls are operating
properly for safe operation.
6. Operator Zone
a. Horizontal Operating Position: Stand on the control
lever side of the log splitter and stabilize log as
shown, if needed. See Fig. 2-1.
b. Vertical Operating Position: Stand in front of the log
splitter and stabilize log as shown, if needed. See
Fig. 2-1.
WARNING! When stabilizing log with left hand,
remove your hand when the wedge just contacts
the log or serious injury may occur.
7. When loading a log, always place your hands on the side
of the log, not on the ends, and never use your foot to help
stabilize a log. Failure to do so, may result in crushed or
amputated fingers, toes, hand, or foot.
8. Use only your right hand to operate the controls.
9. Never attempt to split more than one log at a time.
10. For logs which are not cut square, the least square end of
the log should be placed toward the beam and wedge, and
the square end placed toward the end plate.
4 J SECTION 2 -- IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES